Ron Paul is consistent in his advocacy of libertarian viewpoints.
People like Jon Stewart largely disagree with Ron Paul when it comes to proper role of government. Yet even though his views are widely divergent of many liberals Paul has still managed to gain respect from those who oppose his beliefs. In the interview below Jon Stewart interview Ron Paul on the proper role of government in a conversation that exhibits civility and a level of intellectualism missing in many political debates today.
At the beginning of the interview Paul expresses his view that the Fed basically allows the government to print counterfiet money to finance illegal wars. These contentions from Paul largely go unchallenged but Stewart does ask Paul if government also has a role in providing for the defense against corporation as well as foreign enemies. Paul surprisingly concedes this point but still argues current government regulation does not help the problem.
Paul's respect from many can be traced back to a number of factors. First Paul seems to not use his beliefs or those of his opponents to score cheap political points at every turn. Unlike many liberals and conservatives he does not latch on to stories like the Henry Louis Gates arrest but instead stays focused on his political philosophy and larger issues. Secondly as Stewart points out Paul has at least been consistent in his beliefs even if those beliefs are consistently outside of the mainstream. While conservatives are seemingly against Obama school speeches after being for Reagan school speeches Paul at least keeps the same positions. Finally Paul's viewpoints are at least supported by some logic and academic research rather than just rhetoric. While commentators like Glenn Beck spin off arguments with little to no support Paul has at least thought through the his arguments even if liberals still disagree with him.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c | |||
| Ron Paul | ||||
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Comments
"These contentions from Paul largely go unchallenged but Stewart does ask Paul if government also has a role in providing for the defense against corporation as well as foreign enemies."
What needs to be challenged?? We are projected to have trillion dollar deficits, the debt is what 10 trillion and just to stay solvent the government needs something like 70 trillion dollars in the bank, today!!
So yes, the wars and the excess spending have added to our debt and deficits but how do you think we have been able to pay for everything??
People often blame the big bankers and a failure of capitalism for the mortgage mess and the recession but where did all that money and credit come from that created first the internet boom in the late 1990's and then the real estate boom that went bust and created the financial situation we are in now??
It comes from the governments printing presses and its ability to create money "out of thin" air that has been financing all the spending.
Ron Paul - The only politician who says "Live how you choose" not how I or the government chooses for you.
It's all about personal liberty...no matter what you think about Dr. Pauls views... He stands for Your liberty to live how You choose... We where never meant to be controlled by the Federal government like we are...we are supposed to decide at a state level...so our voices are actually heard.
Nice article. Thanks.
Good, intelligently written article. Governments love to counterfit (print money). Historically, inflating the money supply has always ended in disaster for the perpetrator. Remember that at the beginning of the Roman Empire, a Denarius was Silver; towards the end of the empire a Denarius was 0% silver. It took them many centuries to totally debase their currency. The USA, via the Fed, was able to do it in about 45 years. The founders of the US understood this to some extent, thus the constutions gold and silver clause (which is now ignored).
Now if only we can get the corporations out of government maybe we could actually have real liberties.
Yes, Ron Paul is neither a flip-flopper, a brown-noser, a liar nor a media whore like career politicians. That's one reason why he's so refreshing. I haven't come upon a position of his that doesn't make perfect sense, even if it's contrary to my "personal" opinion.
I noticed during the show that the only applause "allowed" was after Jon Stewart questioned one of Ron's positions. I guess the audience was told they couldn't applaud for Ron and had to wait for the Applause sign. Still being programmed...
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